jbradshaw Posted October 1, 2017 Share Posted October 1, 2017 Many of the local markets here are set up where you come set up your table/booth/whatever, leave extra product under the table or in a back room, and then leave it to the market runners to manage. They have central checkouts (which take a % of sales) and volunteers/employees who straighten your display and restock as needed. The seller can also stop by to straighten or restock throughout the market. Anyone had experiences good or bad with these? I've volunteered at them in the past, and can attest that they do have enough volunteers to monitor shoplifting and keeping the tables looking nice. I've been accepted to two this holiday season, figured it made sense to just apply and then see how I felt about it. I also have ZERO idea how much inventory to have ready for these, but that's another issue. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Candybee Posted October 1, 2017 Share Posted October 1, 2017 Can't say I've done anything like that. Sounds a lot like consignment. Which can go either way depending on the people running the market. How much % do they take? Are you okay with it? Who is responsible for theft, damaged, or missing product? Will you be signing a contract? When do you get paid and how? Do you commit for a specific time or can you cancel at any time? If they go out of business will you be able to get your product out? It can happen. Happened to me. These are some of the questions I would want answers to before I signed up. If you are satisfied with the answers and still want to give it a go then I say go for it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbradshaw Posted October 1, 2017 Author Share Posted October 1, 2017 They are incredibly popular here - the majority of markets around are set up like these, so I feel like I can't really avoid them. They vary in the % they take, anywhere from 15%-20%. I don't love losing that %, but it does seem fair given that I don't have to be there, don't have to manage the checkout or sales tax, etc. You do sign a contract, but from the ones I've seen, the market is not responsible for theft, damaged, or missing product. You are paid 2 weeks post market via check, it works like a payroll and you fill out a W9 I believe. Unlike consignment, they are pop up markets. So the market will rent out a venue for a weekend, one week, two weeks and the market gets set up, then comes down. Which is nice, there's a limit to the time table. I know you didn't really need the answers to these, but it was helpful to write them out. I've talked to other vendors and some love these and some hate them. One in particular refuses to participate because she just can't justify losing 15% - however, she has been around for years, and supports a family of 7 off her business alone, since she does enough online and at other markets to ignore these. I feel like it's a good way to get my brand out as well. In my area, we have: farmers markets craft lake city DIY fest (which is basically a weekend long craft fair outdoors) swiss days (booth fees are $1K for a 2 day festival) Pinners conference (booth fees are $900 for 2 days) these central checkout markets, which are numerous So I feel a bit backed into a corner if I want to grow my business. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NancyJo Posted October 1, 2017 Share Posted October 1, 2017 I don't think I would like that set up. These people don't know your product, so if someone has a question, they probably would not know how to answer depending of what it was. Are you responsible for misinformation? Sounds like if they are working in "commission" they might say anything for the sale. You also have booth fees, so is that on top of the 15% you also have the give them? Also, those fees seem really high for 2 days. Not sure where you are from, but I have never heard of these. I have heard of pop-up shops, where the owners of the business run them just like a regular store for a set amount of time, like a month. Every area is different, so like Candybee said, if you are comfortable doing it, then go for it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kandlekrazy Posted October 1, 2017 Share Posted October 1, 2017 I think that would work for some items but I also think that sellers need to be somewhat educated on what they are selling. Then again, it's like a grocery store where you go from dept to dept or booth to booth in this case and help yourself and then check out. I like the personal touch I can give to customers when selling my items. It's very much like our multi-dealer antique stores where most times we only know what the price tag states and either I or my workers are selling, not the owner of the items. I could go either way on this, I guess I might try it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kandlekrazy Posted October 1, 2017 Share Posted October 1, 2017 1 hour ago, jbradshaw said: They are incredibly popular here - the majority of markets around are set up like these, so I feel like I can't really avoid them. They vary in the % they take, anywhere from 15%-20%. I don't love losing that %, but it does seem fair given that I don't have to be there, don't have to manage the checkout or sales tax, etc. You do sign a contract, but from the ones I've seen, the market is not responsible for theft, damaged, or missing product. You are paid 2 weeks post market via check, it works like a payroll and you fill out a W9 I believe. Unlike consignment, they are pop up markets. So the market will rent out a venue for a weekend, one week, two weeks and the market gets set up, then comes down. Which is nice, there's a limit to the time table. I know you didn't really need the answers to these, but it was helpful to write them out. I've talked to other vendors and some love these and some hate them. One in particular refuses to participate because she just can't justify losing 15% - however, she has been around for years, and supports a family of 7 off her business alone, since she does enough online and at other markets to ignore these. I feel like it's a good way to get my brand out as well. In my area, we have: farmers markets craft lake city DIY fest (which is basically a weekend long craft fair outdoors) swiss days (booth fees are $1K for a 2 day festival) Pinners conference (booth fees are $900 for 2 days) these central checkout markets, which are numerous So I feel a bit backed into a corner if I want to grow my business. Those fees are crazy high. I just decided against a 2 day vintage show that was $450 for 2 days. I thought that was sky high, lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbradshaw Posted October 1, 2017 Author Share Posted October 1, 2017 Agreed, those booth fees are crazy high - I didn't do either of those shows because of it. The booth fees for these are only $20/weekend since they take a percentage. And luckily they don't try to sell people on anything, customers just peruse the venue and purchase what looks good. They basically only admit vendors they like the product for and think would appeal to their customer. I'm definitely concerned that I wouldn't be there to answer questions, or even to steer people towards the scent they might like best. I just can't decide if it's worth the risk or not. I appreciate all the input. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TallTayl Posted October 1, 2017 Share Posted October 1, 2017 I did one for a popular 2 weekend in a row Christmas show. Worked very well. The thing is, those customers were looking for holiday decor, not necessarily what I was selling. I made money, did not lose and product and learned a lot. I have wanted to set up again with a different product line now that I "get" the customers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Candybee Posted October 3, 2017 Share Posted October 3, 2017 i don't like the idea of leaving my product with someone who takes no responsibility for theft, damaged, or missing goods. Once they contract with you to hold your product for sale they need to take responsibility for it. In my opinion this is a very bad set up for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
birdcharm Posted October 3, 2017 Share Posted October 3, 2017 (edited) I agree with Candybee as far as having any control over your product. The only way I could see it working to your advantage is if you don't care about it and are mainly using it for marketing. I am assuming you can place a stack of business cards in front of your table. If that is permitted and you have some money to throw at it, then it could be worth stocking with minimum just to get the exposure. But, if you're not in a position to invest in marketing, which sometimes works out and sometimes doesn't, depending on a wide assortment of reasons, I'd listen to Candybee ... not a good set up if you personally cannot be there to be a part of the scene. Edited October 3, 2017 by birdcharm keyboard stuck again! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbradshaw Posted October 3, 2017 Author Share Posted October 3, 2017 I think the only way I can go into this (if I go into it) is to say that I'm willing to do all this as an investment and see how it goes. I hate that none of these markets take any liability for damaged or stolen goods, but I checked all the markets I could find like this in Utah and it's standard procedure. Having been a volunteer and a customer for many of these markets, that does assuage my concerns a bit because I'm familiar with how they run. If i do it, I'll minimize the risk as much as possible by doing candles in tins only. I can also stop by as often as I want to straighten or restock, and I can be a volunteer at one of them, which would mean I could keep an eye on things. I'm just so torn - all of this input and caution has been incredibly helpful to me. I feel a bit cornered just because if I want to participate in the local craft scene, I have no choice but to do these markets. I can try to expand online, and get wholesale going, which I'm definitely going to invest time in, but I feel like the opportunity to get product in front of customers is so valuable. What kinds of markets do you all have in your areas? This seems to be really unique to Utah. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crafty1_AJ Posted October 9, 2017 Share Posted October 9, 2017 One of the best features of more traditional craft shows and markets, IMO, is that the maker is standing right there beside his/her product. Customers get to interact with the creator/seller, and you can explain the highlights of what you do and talk up your product. You are knowledgeable about your stock, can answer questions, and can point the customer to a particular item he / she wants. As a buyer, I prefer the seeing to and talking with the maker face to face. JM2C Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbradshaw Posted December 9, 2017 Author Share Posted December 9, 2017 I wanted to circle back and follow up on this topic since I'm halfway through both shows. So far - so good! I'm actually almost sold out at both shows (which is down to me underestimating the traffic and people wanting my candles). None of the product has been damaged, which is awesome. I was so hesitant about these because I couldn't be with my product, but I'm really happy with how they have gone. Some feedback I did get from a customer was to have signs stating what the notes were in each candle, and I can definitely incorporate that should I try this again. All in all - I'd definitely do this again next year. Since I work full time it was great to be able to be selling candles without standing in a booth, and it's also how the majority of craft shows are run in my area. Anyway - just wanted to let you guys know how it turned out 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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